Dr. Frank Cammisa: 4 Points on Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusions
1. Performing XLIF procedures. XLIF is a minimally invasive procedure where the surgeon makes an incision in the patient's side and accesses the spine laterally through the psoas muscle, referred to as the "trans-psoas" approach. Once the incision is made, a special tubular retractor is inserted and dilated. The lumbar plexus goes through the psoas and surgeons use neuromonitoring to identify the nerves. "We want to make sure we are between the nerves so we don't damage them," says Dr. Cammisa. "We're able to do complete corpectomies without making large flank incisions and damaging the patient's anatomy. It's a much less traumatic experience for patients, which really helps them mentally as well as physically." Once the equipment is in place, surgeons can use cages filled with bone growth factors to achieve fusion. Iliac bone graft can also be used, but this technique is falling out of fashion. "It's rare that I ever have to take a bone graft from the iliac crest," says Dr. Cammisa. "It just saves so much time and avoids patient pain when you don't have to take a graft from the patient." 2. Benefits of XLIF. Dr. Cammisa is able to perform complex surgeries, such as an adult degenerative scoliosis correction, through a smaller incision fusing fewer levels than with the open posterior approach. Less invasive procedures are beneficial because they allow a surgical intervention without significant blood loss or muscle and tissue damage and patients with decreased hospital stays are able to begin rehabilitation quicker than with the traditional open procedure. When patients are able to rehabilitate quicker, they are able to return to work sooner. 3. Incorporating lateral lumbar interbody fusion into your practice. There are many device companies that now offer lateral lumbar interbody fusion devices, led by NuVasive's eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion. Surgeons can undergo training courses with their device of choice and then observe surgeons who are already proficient with the procedure. "It is less complicated for the surgeon if they are able to start performing a procedure without a steep learning curve," says Dr. Cammisa. "Most experienced surgeons will be able to pick it up very quickly, incorporate it into their practice and be very happy with it." 4. Will it stick around in the future?Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion - News
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion, also known as extreme lateral interbody fusion, is a relatively new procedure that surgeons have found successful for treating patients with complex disorders such as spondylolisthesis and scoliosis.
Minimally invasive, lateral interbody fusion also represents one of the fastest growing and efficacious segments of the lumbar fusion market," said Paul McAfee, MD, MBA, Strategic Business Adviser, one of several faculty at Life Spine's Surgeon
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion : Washington DC Spine Surgeon ...
A posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a type of spine surgery that involves approaching the spine from the back, or posterior, of the body to place bone graft between two vertebrae. The procedure may be performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
What Is A Minimally Invasive PLIF?Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a type of spine surgery that involves approaching the spine from the back (posterior) of the body to place bone graft material between two adjacent vertebrae (interbody) to promote bone growth that joins together, or “fuses,” the two structures (fusion). The bone graft material acts as a bridge, or scaffold, on which new bone can grow. The ultimate goal of the procedure is to restore spinal stability.
Today, a PLIF may be performed using minimally invasive spine surgery, which allows the surgeon to use small incisions and gently separate the muscles surrounding the spine rather than cutting them. Traditional, open spine surgery involves cutting or stripping the muscles from the spine. A minimally invasive approach preserves the surrounding muscular and vascular function and minimizes scarring.
Why Do I Need This Procedure?A spinal fusion procedure such as a PLIF may be recommended as a surgical treatment option for patients with a condition causing spinal instability in their lower back, such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis, that has not responded to conservative treatment measures (rest, physical therapy or medication). The symptoms of lumbar spinal instability may include pain, numbness and/or muscle weakness in the low back, hips and legs.
Your surgeon will take a number of factors into consideration before recommending a PLIF, including the condition to be treated, your age, health and lifestyle and your anticipated level of activity following surgery. Please discuss this treatment option thoroughly with your spinal care provider.
How Is Minimally Invasive Lumber Interbody Fusion Performed?
Spinal Access and Bone Removal
First, your surgeon will make a small incision in the skin of your back over the vertebra(e) to be treated. Depending on the bone graft to be used, the incision could be as small as approximately 3 centimeters. In a traditional open PLIF, a 3- to 6-inch incision is typically required.
The muscles surrounding the spine will then be dilated to allow access to the section of spine to be stabilized. After the spine is accessed, the lamina (the “roof” of the vertebra) is removed to allow visualization of the nerve roots. The facet joints, which are directly over the nerve roots, may be trimmed to give the nerve roots more room.
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion - Bookshelf
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Techniques in spinal fusion and stabilization
Paul M. Lin, MD INTRODUCTION In 1 945, Dr Ralph Cloward, a neurosurgeon, first described the concept and technique of posterior lumbar interbody fusion ...Advances in spinal fusion, molecular science, biomechanics, and clinical management
19 Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using the Brantigan I/F Cage Tomoyuki Hashimoto, Keichi Shigenobu, and Masahiro Kanayama Hakodate Central General ...Arthritis and arthroplasty, The spine
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ... With posterior lumbar interbody fusion, access to the disc can be either ...Lumbar interbody fusion
B B. Bilateral-lateral fusion to salvage posterior lumbar interbody fusion ... Collis22 promoted the concept of posterior lumbar interbody fusion as a disc ...Everyday Info Directory
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion | eorthopod.com
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a procedure used to treat problems such as disc degeneration, disc herniation, and spine instability. ...
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) Surgery
Physician written, peer reviewed article on posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery description, benefits, and contraindications. Includes illustrative animation.
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
The treatment of low back pain has undergone a revolution in the last twenty years. ... The first posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) was reported by Jaslow in 1946 when he ...
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) - Back pain ...
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a spine surgery that involves approaching the spine from the back (posterior) of the body to remove all ...
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): Spinal Stabilization
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is useful in the correction of degenerative lumbar deformity such as spondylolisthesis or scoliosis.